Support Scientist for GNSS Radio Occultation Activities

The scientist will primarily work on the RO data conversion from low-level GNSS observations to high-level profiles (e.g., bending angle) as a NOAA/NESDIS/STAR RO team member.

 

Date posted

Nov. 16, 2022 4:30 pm

Application deadline

Jan. 15, 2023 5:00 pm

Organization

ESSIC/CISESS at the University of Maryland

Location

  • United States

Job description

ESSIC and the Cooperative Institute for Satellite Earth System Studies (CISESS) of the University of Maryland, College Park, are seeking a scientist for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) Calibration/Validation work.

 The scientist will primarily work on the RO data conversion from low-level GNSS observations to high-level profiles (e.g., bending angle) as a NOAA/NESDIS/STAR RO team member. GNSS RO is an active remote sensing technique that provides valuable information on the vertical variations of electron density in the ionosphere and temperature, pressure, and water vapor in the stratosphere and troposphere. The bending angle profiles derived from RO signals have been used in operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems through data assimilation to correct temperature bias in the forecasts. The CISESS RO team supports NOAA’s RO satellite processing and science applications for the NOAA backbone mission (i.e., COSMIC-2), the commercial RO missions, and NOAA partners’ missions.

The candidate will work with the team lead on comparing/validating Precise Orbit Determination (POD) results for GNSS satellites and LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites, coding and upgrading scripts to automate the processing procedures from raw GNSS observations to high-level bending angle profiles. The candidate will perform inter-satellite co-location RO profile comparisons and prediction of the location of the RO profiles and expect occasional web interface design for displaying results.  

The candidate is expected to contribute to the following:

  • Design LEO or Small satellite Precise Orbit Determination (POD) algorithm with Bernese or other POD software
  • Routinely running POD software and other positioning software to produce and compare/validate the satellite orbital ephemeris and clock bias results from other RO centers.
  • Coding scripts and automation for low-level to high-level RO data conversion.
  • Supporting inter-LEO excess phase/bending angle comparisons from different processing procedures/centers.
  • Algorithm implementation for RO processing on different levels.
  • Help with simple web-contents design for displaying RO results on different levels.
  • Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and participate in conferences.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Strong Experience with code development in FORTRAN/C/Python, script language (bash, Perl, etc.) in Linux/Unix environments, and visualization coding in IDL and/or Matlab.
  • Experience processing large amounts of the observational dataset using multiple threads/clusters.
  • Experience with standard data format, e.g., netCDF-4, BUFR, GRIB, etc.
  • Familiar with GNSS positioning theory and at least one GNSS/LEO satellite POD software.

Desired Skills:

  • Understanding GNSS positioning theory and geodetic datum
  • Understanding LEO satellite Radio Occultation theory.
  • Proven ability to work well in a team environment
  • Relevant peer-reviewed publications
  • Good writing and oral communication skills

Qualifications:

  • A Master's degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Atmospheric Sciences, Geophysics, Aerospace/Electric Engineering, Astronomy, Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related Physical Science.
  • To Apply: Interested candidates should send a CV with a list of at least 3 professional references and a cover letter explaining how your qualifications meet the posted requirements to xshao@umd.edu.

    THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

For more details

https://essic.umd.edu/joom2/index.php/employment/3119-support-scientist-for-gnss-radio-occultation-activities2